Dialysis Patients between Suffering and Hope
The strict blockade and shelling of different Syrian districts have destroyed the healthcare system affecting patients with chronic diseases, particularly, dialysis, whose case tops the list of vulnerable population groups.
Dialysis patients suffer enormous difficulties to receive treatment especially those who need it several times a month. Some patients need ten operations monthly, or once every three days, throughout their lifetime. On patients side, treatment expenses come first among their day-to-day financial hardships.
Dearth of Dialysis Centers
Misery multiplies in areas with few dialysis centers forcing patients to travel long distances in order to receive treatment. In besieged areas, difficulty to permit entry of medical equipment contributes to the increase of prices, adding to the patients’ financial crisis, putting them on waiting lists, and some die because they cannot afford money or time, or because only few centers can provide dialysis sessions.
Sponsorship of Dialysis patients
To save lives of vulnerable patients, “Beyaz Eller organization” has sought support from Al Najah Charity to sponsor dialysis sessions. The project includes sponsoring 55 patients by paying their treatment expenses every month throughout a year.
Where Do We Work?
Since the project was approved, 55 patients received treatment throughout the year. 27 patients were sponsored in northern Aleppo suburbs and 27 in Homs. Due to safety concerns, the project was postponed in Homs. “Beyaz Eller” contacted the financing charity to sponsor another 27 patients in Dar’a- Nasib and Al Herak.
Dialysis Project Results
sessions provided to 27 patients in Homs.
sessions provided to 27 patients in Dar’a
sessions provided to 27 patients in northern Aleppo suburbs.
Dialysis, Suffering and Hope
Our field team has toured dialysis centers and examined beneficiaries’ opinions about the project.
One patient suffered great pain as he spoke breathlessly:
Another young man in his twenties accompanies his grandmother said:
“for three years, I have been suffering from dialysis deficiency; I sustained two years before the doctor said I must undergo regular treatment despite my financial suffering. At the beginning, I could only afford going to hospital twice a month, now thanks Allah I receive regular treatment.”
“Every week we come for two sessions and, as you see, the treatment is long and painful. When she returns home she remains sick and effortless throughout the day. Despite everything, we thank Allah for this service because otherwise we could not afford the expenses.”
Dialysis Project Significance
The project supports vulnerable and broke patients who cannot afford health needs. As we ease their financial burden, their income, once allocated for dialysis treatment, now covers life essentials- food, water, shelter, etc. the project saved lives of many patients through provision of regular fixed sessions to those who might die in case they go through irregular treatment.